7.22.2013

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Competing for the Title of Beauties of America 40's representing Florida - August 3, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas - Very excited to compete again and meet all the beautiful ladies next week! 



http://www.diversedreams.com/boa/index.html
SMILE


Was thinking of a Smile and what it means - Smile - It is the Cheapest thing you can offer to the world! 

Here are some others things about what a Smile is and why we should do it more often then NOT

 A smile confuses an approaching frown.  ~Author Unknown
The world always looks brighter from behind a smile.  ~Author Unknown

If you smile at someone, they might smile back.  ~Author Unknown

If you don't have a smile, I'll give you one of mine.  ~Author Unknown

I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.  ~Author Unknown

Smile — sunshine is good for your teeth. ~Author Unknown
A smile can brighten the darkest day.  ~Author Unknown

Smile, it lets your teeth breathe.  ~Author Unknown
It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown.  ~Author Unknown



Okay, I think now with all the quotes above you get the picture - you just need to Smile more!

A smile is something priceless and means different things for every one. The most common
is the positive reactions it causes. We are beings thats excel in positive engery. We spark to life, our day brightens. A smile can stop tears, stop a frown, ease ones pain, shed light on sorrow, make you blush, even fill one with excitement. The things a smile can do are truly limitless. Every ones smile can cause such different positive reactions in so many different people. The simple greatness of a smile is truly remarkable. It's true... some of the best things in life are free, yet priceless.










7.01.2013

Hello half the year of 2013

Well hello 2013 yes, can't believe that half the year has already passed us by!  More to come soon!

NO Post for a long time

Well hello again, I have not posted anything in such a long time, was not able to post b/c I have not been able to get into the account! 

3.21.2012

AHA Advocates Zumba to fight heart disease

Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits

In today’s busy society, it can be hard to think about finding time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous, both to you, your family, and the community. The right match can help you find friends, reach out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance your career. Volunteering can also help protect your mental and physical health. Learn more about the many benefits of volunteering and tips on finding the right place for you.




Benefits of volunteering #1: Volunteering connects you to others

One of the better-known benefits of volunteering is the impact on the community. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place. However, volunteering is a two-way street, and it can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills.
Volunteering helps you make new friends and contacts

One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, especially if you are new to an area. Volunteering also strengthens your ties to the community and broadens your support network, exposing you to people with common interests, neighborhood resources, and fun and fulfilling activities.
Volunteering increases your social and relationship skills

While some people are naturally outgoing, others are shy and have a hard time meeting new people. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice and develop your social skills, since you are meeting regularly with a group of people with common interests. Once you have momentum, it’s easier to branch out and make more friends and contacts.

Volunteering as a family

While it might be a challenge to coordinate everyone’s schedules, volunteering as a family has many worthwhile benefits. Children watch everything you do. By giving back to the community, you show them firsthand how volunteering makes a difference and how good it feels to help others and enact change. It’s also a valuable way for you to get to know organizations in the community and find resources and activities for your children and family.


Benefits of volunteering #2: Volunteering is good for your mind and body

Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health.

Volunteering increases self-confidence. Volunteering can provide a healthy boost to your self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. You are doing good for others and the community, which provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Your role as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity. And the better you feel about yourself, the more likely you are to have a positive view of your life and future goals.

Volunteering combats depression. Reducing the risk of depression is another important benefit of volunteering. A key risk factor for depression is social isolation. Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn protects you against stress and depression when you’re going through challenging times.

Volunteering helps you stay physically healthy. Volunteering is good for your health at any age, but it’s especially beneficial in older adults. Studies have found that those who volunteer have a lower mortality rate than those who do not, even when considering factors like the health of the participants. Volunteering has also been shown to lessen symptoms of chronic pain or heart disease.

I have limited mobility - can I still volunteer?

Whether due to a lack of transportation, time constraints, a disability or other reasons, many people prefer to volunteer via phone or computer. There are many projects where you can help. Writing and graphic design lends itself to working at home, and in today’s digital age many organizations might also need help with email and websites.

If you think home-based volunteering might be right for you, contact organizations you like and ask what some of the possibilities might be. Some volunteer organizations may require you to attend an initial training or periodical meetings. You also want to make sure that you are getting enough social contact, and that the organization is available to support you should you have questions.
Benefits of volunteering #3: Volunteering can advance your career

If you’re considering a new career, volunteering can help you get experience in your area of interest and meet people in the field. Even if you’re not planning on changing careers, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important skills used in the workplace, such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, project planning, task management, and organization. You might feel more comfortable stretching your wings at work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer position first.

Volunteering can provide career experience

Volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment. It is also a great way to gain experience in a new field. In some fields, you can volunteer directly at an organization that does the kind of work you’re interested in. For example, if you’re interested in nursing, you could volunteer at a hospital or a nursing home. Your volunteer work might also expose you to professional organizations or internships that could be of benefit to your career.
Volunteering can teach you valuable job skills

Just because volunteer work is unpaid does not mean the skills you learn are basic. Many volunteering opportunities provide extensive training. For example, you could become an experienced crisis counselor while volunteering for a women’s shelter or a knowledgeable art historian while donating your time as a museum docent.

Volunteering can also help you build upon skills you already have and use them to benefit the greater community. For instance, if you hold a successful sales position, you raise awareness for your favorite cause as a volunteer advocate, while further developing and improving your public speaking, communication, and marketing skills.

When it comes to volunteering, passion and positivity are the only requirements

While learning new skills can be beneficial to many, it’s not a requirement for a fulfilling volunteer experience. Bear in mind that the most valuable skills you can bring to any volunteer effort are compassion, an open mind, a willingness to do whatever is needed, and a positive attitude.

Benefits of volunteering #4: Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life

Volunteering is a fun and easy way to explore your interests and passions. Doing volunteer work you find meaningful and interesting can be a relaxing, energizing escape from your day-to-day routine of work, school, or family commitments. Volunteering also provides you with renewed creativity, motivation, and vision that can carry over into your personal and professional life.

1.11.2012

January Awareness Month












National Birth Defects Prevention Month

The mission of the National Birth Defects Prevention Network is to establish and maintain a national network of state and population-based programs for birth defects surveillance and research to assess the impact of birth defects upon children, families, and health care; to identify factors that can be used to develop primary prevention strategies; and to assist families and their providers in secondary disabilities prevention.




Cataract Awareness Month

Since its founding in 1896, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has been an institution dedicated to the advancement of ophthalmic education. Established in 1980, the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology raises financial support and implements programs that advance ophthalmic education resulting in the best possible eye care for the public.

Funds raised by the Academy Foundation are used to:
Develop new Academy educational products and services,
Help improve eye care in developing countries through education and,
Preserve the history of ophthalmology and the Academy.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) founded in 1997 is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to serving women with, or at risk for, cervical cancer and HPV disease. Over 4,000 members have joined the NCCC; Members include women and family members/caregivers/friends, women's groups, cytotechnologists, pathologists, clinicians, laboratories, technology companies, cancer researchers, hospitals, organizations providing cervical cancer screening programs, and other related associations.




National Volunteer Blood Donor Month

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month (NVBDM). To increase awareness of blood donation the nations leading blood donation organizations, America's Blood Centers, AABB, and the American Red Cross, have joined together to promote NVBDM. First-time and regular donors are encouraged to make a difference to their communities by scheduling an appointment to give blood this January. Remember, just one pint of blood can help save up to three lives.


Martin Luther King Day of Service

In 1994 Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the King Holiday as a national day of volunteer service. Instead of a day off from work or school, Congress asked Americans of all backgrounds and ages to celebrate Dr. King's legacy by turning community concerns into citizen action. The King Day of Service brings together people who might not ordinarily meet, breaks down barriers that have divided us in the past, leads to better understanding and ongoing relationships, and is an opportunity to recruit new volunteers for your ongoing work.

National Mentoring Month

National Mentoring Month (NMM) highlights mentoring and the positive impact it can have on young lives. Spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project, MENTOR and the Corporation for National and Community Service, the first-ever NMM was held in January 2002. This month-long outreach campaign focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us- individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits can work together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for our young people.


National Poverty in America Awareness Month

One in six American children still lives below the poverty line. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CDHD) invests in community-based solutions. They know no religious boundaries. They support projects that break the poverty cycle for good.